There are numerous accounts saying that all three pieces were thrown over the bluff, but no eyewitness accounts to that. Union officers seem to have ordered the piece thrown over the bluff but there is no real evidence that this was done and pretty solid circumstantial evidence that it was not.

One Union account says that the James rifle was carried to the edge of the bluff by its recoil but that probably means it simply moved toward the edge of the slope just south of the cemetery rather than actually to the bluff.

All three pieces were captured by the Confederates. The 8th Virginia claimed the two mountain howitzers. The 8th apparently overran those pieces in its final charge shortly before the climactic assault of the Mississippians, but did not remove them from the field. The 17th Mississippi captured the James and also claimed one of the mountain howitzers. In any case, all three ended up in Confederate hands.

The mountain howitzers disappeared from history. The James was given to the First Company, Richmond Howitzers at Leesburg. It was used at least once against the Federals when, in December, the Confederates used it to shell the Union camp in Maryland at Point of Rocks. It also then disappears from history.

Hope this helps.

Jim Morgan

PS:

In response to the older questions by Darryl Smith and Quinn Swift, I apologize for not answering either one. I’m just now seeing both questions which shows that I haven’t looked at my interview for quite some time to check for responses.

Mr. Smith: Thanks for the kind words about “Just Before the Battle,” a CW music tape I recorded many years ago. It was only done on cassette, never on CD, and I don’t know how many copies are out there or in any kind of playing condition.

Mr. Swift: I have no information on the Wilsons of Morganza. I can only suggest that you check with the local historical society or public library. Sorry.

]]>By: Billy S.https://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/interview-jim-morgan-a-little-short-of-boats/#comment-26607
Wed, 05 Mar 2014 01:37:33 +0000http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/?p=8995#comment-26607I’ve heard three differing accounts as to what happened to the Union artillery that day. One says the rebels captured the three pieces. Another says all three were too close to the bluff and their recoil carried them over the precipice. Still another account says that the rifled gun recoiled over the edge but the two howitzers were thrown or rolled over the bluff when the battle was hopeless to prevent them from being captured but because of the trees on the slope of the bluff the howitzers didn’t make it all the way to the riverbank at the bottom and were captured the next day by the rebels who hoisted them back up to the top of the bluff.
Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks very much in advance.

]]>By: Quinn Swifthttps://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/interview-jim-morgan-a-little-short-of-boats/#comment-21279
Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:30:23 +0000http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/?p=8995#comment-21279Mr. Morgan:My name is Quinn I am an African American who have done research on the Morgans of Morganza, because my great grandfather Moses Wilson and son my grandfather George Wilson who were recognized by New Roads La as early Morganzans; they were store owners & farmers. Moses was born in 1867 and George 1888. Can you guys help steer me in the right historic direction I would like to know who was Moses parents and the years they lived in Morganza before the Civil War? There Monganza property was located near the spillway and they later moved to New Roads street across from St Augustine church in New Roads La?

]]>By: Darryl Smithhttps://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/interview-jim-morgan-a-little-short-of-boats/#comment-19655
Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:36:52 +0000http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/?p=8995#comment-19655Question for Mr. Morgan…how do I go about obtaining a copy of Just Before the Battle? I had purchased one at Monocacy battlefield years ago and wore it out. Your versions of the songs you cover are some of the best I have heard and I would like to hear those songs again.

]]>By: savasbeatiehttps://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/interview-jim-morgan-a-little-short-of-boats/#comment-18812
Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:28:10 +0000http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/?p=8995#comment-18812Thank you for mentioning our book, A Little Short of Boats and for posting this great interview with Jim Morgan. More information on his book can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/2f5cfcu
Signed copies are available on request when ordering A Little Short of Boats!
Savas Beatie LLC
Publisher of Historical Titles of Distinctionhttp://www.savasbeatie.com